Mr. John P. Mertz

John Philip Mertz, 88, of Maxatawny Township, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 24, 2023 in his residence. He was the husband of Betty Lou (Herber) Mertz, whom he married on June 25, 1955.

Born and raised in Maxatawny Township, John was a son of the late Philip Martin Mertz and Ellen Jane (Leibensperger) Mertz. John was employed by Eastern Industries, East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc., and Maxatawny Township, where he served as the Park Steward for 20 years. He was a member of Zion’s Union Church of Maxatawny, The Antique Engine Tractor and Toy Club, and was a former member of The Old Time Plow Boys.

John enjoyed spending time in Bowers Park, on his farm in Maxatawny Township which he helped to restore, going to local fairs, The Kutztown Folk Festival and country music shows. John will be remembered for his kindness, hard work ethic and commitment to his family.

Along with his wife of 68 years, Betty, John is survived by his three sons, Barry C., husband of Therese (Moyer) Mertz, Kutztown, Brian J., husband of Patricia (Gallagher) Mertz, Kutztown, and Bruce P., husband of Tawna (Clelan) Mertz, Stevensville, MD; six grandchildren, Anya (Mertz) Kramer (Kenneth), Alec Mertz, Erik Mertz (Adena), Bryn Mertz (Chelsea), Cyleigh Mertz (Mithun Nagesh), Kara (Mertz) Sheehan (Chris); eight great-grandchildren, Thorin, Lyanna, Otis, Crew, Ty, Raiya, Finnegan and Blaire; and sister, Donna L. (Mertz), wife of Randy Bailey, Kutztown. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his siblings, Grace A. Kern, Harold D. Mertz and Judith Kern.

A funeral service to celebrate and honor John’s life will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. from Zion’s Union Church, 329 Church Road, Kutztown, with Vicar Jeremiah T. Heydt officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining Zion Maxatawny Union Cemetery.

Viewings for John will be held on Thursday evening, September 28 ^th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown, and again on Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church.

The family requests contributions be made in John’s Memory to Zion’s Union Church or Maxatawny Township, 127 Quarry Road, Suite 1, Kutztown, Pa 19530, to be used for a memorial bench will be placed at Bowers Park, a place that was very special to John.

Below is an interview done by Kutztown University with John Mertz talking about his life history.

https://research.library. kutztown.edu/pagermandutch_ lifehistories/8/

Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com .